Born To Run

Does your DNA hold the key to your nutritional needs?

- Michelle Lau

Just a few decades ago, our genes and what they say about us was largely a mystery. Now, with a simple swab of your mouth scientists can reveal almost everything about you - from your family history and the diseases that you are at risk for to which diet and training plan best suits you.

WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOUR DIET AND GENES? 

Nutrigenomics is the study of how one’s genetic differences can affect the way your body interacts with food. It is a field that has taken off since the conclusion of the Human Genome Project in 2003. Since then, clinical studies across the globe are examining how diet impacts genes and how genes respond to diet. The allure of nutrigenomics is personalised nutrition. It stems from the notion that it is the foundation for individually-tailored diets and supplement regimes that will take into account one’s unique performance goals and genotype to allow more precision in optimising sport performance.

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

Understanding the connections between diet and genetics means that you might no longer have to test out the latest fad diets. Your genes dictate how your body responds to different food and exercise. Knowing which variants (genetic differences in and among populations) you have mean you can access the sort of individually-tailored training plan that was once only available to elite athletes. By knowing more about the relationship between your genes and diet, you might be able to predict your body’s response to food before you even take your first bite.

HOW DOES YOUR DNA INFLUENCE YOUR NUTRITION THEN?